Weaning device for animals



March 23, 1943 A. R. MlsKlN WEANING DEVICE FOR' ANIMALS Filed Jan. 9, 1941 cfg. 2.

Patented Mar. 23, 1943 UNETED STATES P TENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

The invention relates to weaning devices for animals, such as calves, colts and the like, and has for its principal object to provide a device of this character which will be simple in construction, comparatively inexpensive to manufacture, and more eicient in use than those which have been heretofore proposed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described which is composed of substantially a minimum number of parts and constructed for the most part of relatively cheap strap metal and wire or small diameter rods.

A still further object is to provide a weaner which, while eifective to accomplish its intended result, will not interfere with the animals grazmg.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a weaner which will be relatively light in weight while at the same time strongly resistant to damage, through the utilization of a trusslike construction including an annular base member, a plurality of peripherally spaced axially extending prongs or spikes of relatively light material secured thereto, and an additional light weight member secured to the prongs at points spaced from the annulus, with its ends preferably although not necessarily also secured to the annulus. f

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel details of construction and combinations of parts more fully hereinafter disclosed and particularly pointed out in the appended claims. l v

Referring to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification in which like reference characters designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure l is a side elevational view of a weaner constructed in accordance with my invention, illustrating it in place upon an animals head; and

Fig, 2 is a detached perspective view of the weaner.

As will be clear from the said drawing, the device comprises an annulus 5, preferably of strap metal, which in the operative position shown in Fig. l encircles the muzzle of the animal somewhat above the nostrils and resting upon the bony part of the nose. At approximately diametrically opposite points there is secured tothe annulus, as by welding, a pair of metal strap members 5 and 'I which extend upwardly substantially parallel to the axis of the annulus. Diagonal bracing members 8 and 9 of strap iron may extend from the annulus to the lower portions of the strap members 6 and I, being welded or otherwise rigidly secured at their ends to the respective members.

To the free upper end of .the member 6 a leather or other flexible strap I0 is secured as by rivets II, while to the corresponding end of the companion member 'I a short flexible strap I2 is fastened as by rivets I3. This strap I2 carries a buckle Ill having a tongue I5 for selective engagement in any of a series of holes I6 provided in the strap I0.

The upper ends of a plurality of prongs or spikes I'I are secured as by welding at spaced points about the major portion of the perimeter of the annulus 5. These prongs or spikes may be conveniently formed of lengths of wire or small diameter rods and the portions thereof immediately adjacent the annulus extend downwardly and radially outwardly substantially as shown.

A partial annulus I9 of wire encircles the spikes or prongs I1 substantially at the said bends and is welded thereto. The end portions 20 of the wire I9 may be bent upwardly and welded as at 2| to the annulus 5. The provision of this member I9 and its securement to the prongs Il provides a truss-like structure which effectively resists both circumferential and radial deflection of the upper parts of the said prongs when the animal is eating grass or hay, which deflection, if not prevented, would in many cases result in the prongs being broken olie from the annulus 5. This truss construction also permits the use of relatively small diameter wire or rods for the prongs, thus lightening the weight of the device.

The mode of application and use of the weaner will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the drawing, and while but one form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it is obvious that the precise details of construction may be varied without departing from the spirit of the invention, in View of which it is not wished to be limited to the above disclosure, except as may be required by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A light weight animal weaner comprising a distortion-resisting structure including a substantially rigid annulus for encircling the muzzie of the animal; a plurality of wire-like prong members disposed in circumferentially spaced relation about the periphery of said annulus, each having an end portion rigidly secured to the annulus, and each extending therefrom in an axial direction; a Wire-like member encircling said prong members in axially spaced relation to said annulus and rigidly attached to each prong member at a point intermediate its ends, said rigidly connected annulus, prong members and encircling member constituting a substantially rigid light Weight truss-like structure resistant to distortion and to deflection of the prong members and their resultant detachment from the annulus; and means for retaining said structure in place upon the animals muzzle.

2. A light Weight animal Weaner comprising a distortion-resisting structure including a substantially rigid annulus for encircling the muzzle of the animal; a plurality of axially-extending wirelike prong members disposed in circumferentially 10 nulus, the rigidly connected prong members, an-

nulus and partly annular member constituting a substantially rigid truss-like structure resistant to distortion and detachment of the prong members from the annulus; and means for retaining 15 the structure in place upon the animals muzzle.

ARTHUR R. MISKIN. 

